Your 4 Steps for learning how to improvise

1. Play the Half-Diminished Chord

2. Play the Scale

Your scale of choice for any m7b5 chord is the locrian mode. Immediately check out my lesson on the locrian Mode to learn how to play this scale on the guitar.

For a more modern sound, I recommend you check out my lesson on the locrian #2 scale. This scale has a major 9th that sounds better than the b9 in a normal locrian mode. HINT for beginners: the Locrian mode of the ii chord has the SAME EXACT NOTES as the aeolian mode of your I minor chord.

For example, C minor aeolian = D locrian.

Isn’t that awesome!?

3. Play The Arpeggio

I have a complete index of m7b5 arpeggios here for you to explore. Brush up on your arpeggios then return here when you are ready to continue.

4. Target Chord Tones

The b3 and b7 are your target notes on a m7b5 chord. The b5 is also a good note to land on. Play through your m7b5 arpeggios and the locrian mode and focus on where these important notes are. Feel their harmonic pull. Bounce off them to other color notes.

Here is a m7b5 arpeggio for you to recap on. The b5 is considered a chord tone on a m7b5 so your arpeggio notes, R b3 b5 b7 – will all sound great.